Page:A strange, sad comedy (IA strangesadcomedy00seawiala).pdf/125

Rh that Mr. Farebrother has paid you, it is certainly very bad treatment not to make an offer, and I should think your grandpapa would bring Mr. Farebrother to terms."

Letty's surprise was indescribable. She could only murmur confusedly:

"Grandpapa—Mr. Farebrother to terms—bad treatment—what do you mean?"

"Just what I say," answered Ethel, tartly. "If a man devotes himself to a girl, he has no right to withdraw without making her an offer, and such conduct is considered highly dishonorable in England."

Rage and laughter struggled together in Letty's breast, but laughter triumphed. She lay back in her chair, and peal after peal of laughter poured forth. Ethel Maywood thought Letty was losing her mind, until at last she managed to gasp, between explosions of merriment, that things were a little different in this country, and that neither she nor Mr. Farebrother had incurred the slightest obligation toward each other by their conduct.

It was now the English girl's turn to be surprised, and surprised she was. In the midst of it Mr. Romaine came in upon one